Pizzicato

Pronunciation

Origin

Italian, past participle of pizzicare, to pluck.

Full definition of pizzicato

Adverb

1. (music) An instruction to players of stringed instruments to pluck the strings instead of using the bow. Usually abbreviated pizz. in scores.

Antonyms

• arco

Noun

1. (music) A note that is played pizzicato
• 2007, May 7, Vivien Schweitzer, Players With No Conductor and, Increasingly, With No Fear, “Trapeze” begins with pizzicatos that plunge into a circuslike cacophony with rapid trills, busy, clashing textures and motion in every direction.